For me, clean-as-you-go was really the main requirement when I had a very small kitchen. Reasonable organization is necessary, of course, but I found it was mainly freed-up counter space that made the most difference in whether the kitchen felt workable or inconvenient. One positive thing I really noticed was, it felt a lot better to not have several steps to walk, among those three main points - stove, fridge, sink. That sounds silly, to count steps so to speak; but the tight choreography just felt great. When there was more than one person in the space, it was fascinating to see how some people were very able to stay in a mutual flow, and others seemed to have no idea how to do so.

There is a way to make wallpaper removal easier. You need to know Brian Santos "The Wall Wizard." I went to a presentation he gave at a Home Show and learned more from him than anyone else regarding paint and wallpaper. Here is what he recommends: WALLPAPER REMOVER FORMULA BY WALLPAPER WIZARD 3 Gallons of hot water 22 ounces of wallpaper remover (this is the enzyme that eats the starch) 1/4 cup liquid fabric softener (a surfactant that makes water wetter) 1 cup white vinegar 2 tablespoons baking soda (the vinegar and soda together make the mixture pop and fizz) Use a Paper Tiger tool to score up the surface of the wallpaper. This will allow the formula to get to the glue. Using a new garden sprayer (like a Hudson sprayer) begin spraying the remover on the walls. Best to spray from bottom of wall up. Spray the wall 2-3 times in a row to really get it wet. Next, here is the most important part. COVER THE WET WALLS WITH PLASTIC (trash bags, sheet of plastic whatever you have). The plastic prevents the remover formula from drying out. Let it sit for a several hours or overnight to allow the chemical to breakdown the glue. Then you should be able to peal it off the wall much easier. Most people use chemicals but do not allow them the time to work. Using Brian’s method I took down the wallpaper in a small bedroom in 45 minutes. I have also used his idea of covering many other cleaning jobs with plastic. Had mineral deposit build-up around the tub drain. Placed soaked paper towels in vinegar and covered with plastic. Came back the next day and it scrubbed of easily. Did the same thing to a toilet ring that would not budge. Its now gone. Brian Santos website: http://thewallwizard.com/ You can SEE a number of HIS VIDEOS online: https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=brian+santos+wall+wizard&tbm=vid https://www.google.com/search?q=brian+santos+wall+wizard+books&biw=1600&bih=629&tbm=shop&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0xNy69M_OAhVN52MKHZfgAbQQ_AUICCgB&dpr=1#q=brian+santos+wall+wizard+books&tbm=vid He also has many BOOKS on the market: https://www.google.com/search?q=brian+santos+wall+wizard+books&biw=1600&bih=629&tbm=shop&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi0xNy69M_OAhVN52MKHZfgAbQQ_AUICCgB&dpr=1

I always encourage my clients to consider their knife storage because dull knives are dangerous. A well respected blade should not have to live in a pile of others. The options are a little obvious: knife block, knife drawer, magnetic strip, or some other form of slot. The magnetic strip is a great professional-style solution (as long as the blades are magnetic). My own kitchen has slots in the butcherblock but I've actually gravitated to knife drawers even though they steal drawer space. Over the years I've had a number of sensitive clients that shrink at the sight of a knife. One woman in a very good neighborhood actually said she was afraid of a burglar pulling one of her own knives on her! They've probably seen too many Halloween movies but it's kind of weird that some folks refuse to have knives visible when not in use. This usually results in dumping all the knives into a drawer to get them off the counter where they become dull and dangerous. I prefer to see my knives so I can monitor their condition. The only knife storage systems I use treat knives as tools to be well stored and maintained. Some people think my own view is a little fanatical but I hardly ever cut myself.

He doesn’t believe in cleaning as you go - makes a huge mess while cooking. Things like - putting the spaghetti sauce stirrer right on the counters slopping sauce everywhere (just put a paper towel down), messes a million bowls and spoons and just leaves them in piles in the sink, allows oil to splatter all over the range instead of sopping it up with a damp paper towel. I like to clean as I go...small potatoes in an otherwise amazing relationship and husband so I’m not complaining, but since you asked ;))